Recording hydrometer



Aug. 28, 1934. J. T. HAYWARD 1,971,610

RECORDING HYDROMETER Filed Feb. 24. 1931 INVENTOR ATTORNVEY wells. 1 r

Patented Aug. 28, 1934 PATENT OFFICE 1,971,610 RECORDING HYDROMETER John T flayward, Tulsa, Okla. Application Fcbruaryj24 1931, Serial No 517,664 3 Claims. (Cl. 265- 45) My invention relatesto measuring instruments and more particularly to a device of that character for measuring and recording the specific weight of circulating mud fluid used in drilling In the operation of drilling wells it is necessary to use drilling fluid of sufficiently high density to prevent escape of gas confined under high pressures within the earth. For this reason recording mud scales are employed toindicate the density of the mud fluid being circulated through the drilling apparatus so that the driller may, at all times, be informed of the condition of the fiuid'as it is returned from the well and to receive ample warning when the drilling:

, fore, to provide a portable device adapted to be used within the trough leading from the well to the pit, or in the pit so that an accurate indication is at all times available as to the density of the fluid at that point.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character that is not ef fected by the currents of the mud fluid, nor by exterior objects accidently coming in contact with the device.

Further objects of the invention are to so form the displacer that mud and-foreign objects cannot readily adhere thereto; to provide means for permitting telescoping movement of the device; and to embody means for facilitating accurate perpendicular positioning of the instrument.

In accomplishing these and other objects of my invention, I have provided improved details of structure the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a recording hy- Jdrometer, embodying my invention, positioned in a fluid-filled trough, shown in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the device shown in telescoped condition.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3 3,

"Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2. I

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

1 designates a trough, such as is provided for conveying mud fluid delivered from the well back to the pump pit for recirculation through the well. 1

2 designates a device forrecording the density of the mud fluid and includes a cage 3 comprising cooperating upper and lower sections 4 and 5;preferably of conical formation, connected by bolts 6 extended through outwardly directed. flanges '7 of the sections.

The lower section is provided with a concentric outlet flange 8, and spaced legs 9'are fixed adjacent the outer periphery of the'lower section by means, such as welding or the like. The upper'section terminates in a vertical supporting tube 10 provided adjacent its lower end with ports 11 'to permit circulation of mud fluid through the cage and over a displacer l2 mounted within the cage and comprising, preferably, oppositely directed conical portions 13 and 14 corresponding in form to the cage, but being of smaller dimensions to provide a peripheral space between the displacer and cage.

Formed at the apex of thedisplacer portion 13 is aboss 15 having an internally threaded socket 16 for receiving a rod or wire 17 extending upwardly into the supporting tube, and maintained concentrically therein by a guide 18 fixed in the lower end of the tube 10. Slidably mounted over the rod is a sleeve 19 secured at its upper end to the extension 20 of a recording gauge 21 of common construction, and including the usual recording arm 22 for automatically recording the density of the flowing mud fluid on a chart 23. While a recording gauge is shown and described for illustrative purposes", it will be apparent that an indicating scale could be used in place thereof, or in conjunction therewith, if desired.

The gauge is provided with a reduced. threaded neck 24 engaging the upper end of a cooperating supporting barrel 25 slidably mounted over the tube 10, and maintained in adjusted position therewith by a screw 26 threaded into a boss 27 adjacent the lower end ofthe barrel.

Provided in slightly spaced relation above the screw is a window 28 adapted to align with one of a series of windows 29 formed in the tube 10 to provide access to a set screw 30 threaded into the sleeve 19 near its lower end for engaging the central wire or rod so that both the supporting tubes and the displacer rod. may be coincidently telescoped to vary the elevation of the gauge above the cage.

In order to facilitate accurate vertical positioning of the instrument in a trough, a plumb rod 31 is pivotally attached to an eye-bolt 32 threaded into an upper boss 33 of the supporting barrel and is adapted to align with an upwardly directed point 34 of a cooperating bolt or fixed member 35 threaded into a lower boss 36 of the barrel.

Assuming a device to be constructed and assembled as described, and so positioned in a trough or other container for fluid, that the plumb rod aligns accurately with the upwardly directed point of the fixed member, the operation would be as follows:

The displacer will, through the medium of the rod, act upon the recording-gauge with a force that will depend upon the weight and volume of the displacer, which are fixed, and upon the density of circulating fluid, the weight of which it is desired to determine.

In this manner a visible record is, at all times, available in plain view of the driller to Warn him when the drilling fluid becomes so light as to permit possible escape of gas from the Well.

By provision of the telescoping feature, the device is particularly adapted for use around oil Wells so that the gauge may be mounted above the derrick floor and the displacer positioned in a trough below the floor. While the members of the displacer and 01": the gauge are shown to be of conical formation, it is obvious that other similar forms may be employed which would also serve satisfactorily.

What I claim and desire Patent is: w

1. In a device for measuring the specific weight to secure by Letters of fluid used in drilling wells, 2. recording gauge, a displacer adapted to be immersed in the fluid, a telescoping rod for operably connecting the displacer with said gauge, a cage spaced from and surrounding the displacer and having upper and lower ports to permit circulation of fluid over the displacer, a telescoping tubular support for sustaining the gauge in adjustable elevated condition above the cage, and independent means for respectively locking the rod and said support in adjusted position.

2. In combination with a trough, a displacer adapted to be immersed in a stream of liquid flowing through the trough, a recording gauge, means for operably connecting said displacer with the gauge, protecting means for the displacer including supporting means for the gauge and having upper and lower openings for free circulation of liquid over the displacer, and legs on the protecting means for supporting said means in spaced relation above the bottom of the trough.

3. In a device for measuring the specific weight of fluid, a recording gauge, a displacer adapted to be immersed in the fluid, a telescoping rod for operably connecting the displacer with said gauge, means for securing said rod in adjusted position, a cage spaced from and surrounding the displacer and having upper and lower ports to permit free circulation of liquid over the displacer, a telescoping tubular support for sustaining the gauge in adjusted elevated condition above the cage and having windows to provide access to said securing means of the rod, and means for locking the support in adjusted position.

JOHN T. HAYWARD. 

